I begin here by admitting that I never heard of Charlie Kirk until the day he was killed earlier this week. Like you, I know that we will hear and learn much more about him in the weeks, months, and years ahead, especially his movement, Turning Point USA, that engages young people in community affairs and the national political process. His tragic death, coupled with the anniversary of 9-11 and other violent killings this year, might produce new life that offers a new direction, as did the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy in the spring and summer of 1968. Perhaps, much as our faith teaches that from death comes life, the impact can be a turning point for civil discourse in our country.
Kirk employed many characteristics of classic learning styles that go back to Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Jesus, Augustine, Aquinas, Ignatius, and numerous other great minds that influence learners to soar to higher levels. Augustine fostered understanding through dialogue, accepting students where they are and encouraging them to build upon their natural gifts and interests while igniting curiosity and challenging them to ask questions that open doors which lead to more knowledge and greater understanding. Aquinas inspired learners to contemplate what they believe in as a way to discover purpose and meaning; he held that by developing ideas and welcoming new information we will gain holistic understanding, even if we can never fully grasp it. Ignatius developed ways to dialogue, debate, and discern guided by the Holy Spirit; his method helps us reverence other viewpoints, presume the goodness of others, and adopt patience in acquiring wisdom to chart a course to proceed.
I was privileged to help implement the classical liberal arts model of education while at Saint Charles Borromeo Academy in Kansas City’s northland. Like Charlie Kirk’s method, it employed language, logic, and rhetoric. Starting with grammar and language, it develops young minds by insisting on words rather than weapons. Children who are frustrated in persuading another or who do not get their way may revert to hitting, crying, or screaming; but those responses are not acceptable; instead, they are taught to use words. If children learn this at a young age, they will probably not grow up to be one of those adults that act out, throw tantrums, or use weapons rather than words. This way of learning utilizes the Socratic method: discussions that probe with open-ended questions which bring students, through active dialogue rather than passive intake, to use reason and logic toward self-discovery. This style encourages learners to read, absorb, think critically, and express themselves through effective communication.
As Socrates taught Plato this style of critical thinking, so did Plato teach Aristotle to transform ideas into dialogue, and so did Aristotle develop logic in dealing with the world and others. Jesus engaged people in similar ways though rooted in faith that builds upon values, principles, and structures that trust in God’s providence. Like Kirk, Jesus met people where they are and wanted to accompany them to a more elevated place. I wish that the Catholic Church was better about civil discourse. We have had our fair share of leaders who are not open-minded or who do not value civility when addressing someone who opposes doctrine. My sister and I recently recorded a podcast that challenged people to realize that hating President Trump is out of line with basic Catholic dignity or does not offer integrity to our faith, but it was met with ridicule by some. Though it seems we have arrived at some bad, foggy, unstable, ominous spot in our ability to advance the mission of our nation and our God, perhaps the death of Charlie Kirk is a turning point that will take us to a better place.